Combination ladder and tool cart

ABSTRACT

A combined step ladder and tool cart having three basic components, namely a special, foldable step ladder having its set of front legs substantially shorter than the back set, a collapsible wheeled dolly, and removable tool or storage bin to be fitted within the confines of the dolly and attached thereto. The step ladder is mounted onto the dolly at its uppermost section by means of bolts or pivot pins and is designed to be folded up, over and horizontally onto the dolly so that it rides thereon when the dolly is transported from one location to another. The storage bin, which also can be collapsible if desired, is detachable from the dolly and carries on its front face such paraphernalia as a name tag, pencil holder and clip board. The dolly which is vertically adjustable serves as a set of front legs for the step ladder when the ladder is in its erected disposition. The dolly has its two sides joined by means of an X-folding member located at its back end and is preferrably completely open at its front end. Auxiliary tool trays and/or paint can racks can be mounted on the ladder for further utility.

United States Patent Nini [ COMBINATION LADDER AND TOOL CART [76]Inventor: Raymond B. Nini, 3329 3rd St.,

Berwick, La. 70380 [22] Filed: Apr. 10, 1974 [21] Appl. N0.: 459,630

[52] U.S. Cl 182/17, 182/20, 182/127, 182/129 [51] Int. Cl. E06c 5/24[58] Field of Search 182/129, 127, 20, 28, 17, 182/152 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,990,764 7/1961 Wilder 182/127 2,997,1258/1961 Davis..... 182/17 3,190,406 6/1965 Usher 182/152 3,434,566 3/1969Miller 182/15 3,490,558 l/l970 Foley 182/127 3,552,521 l/l97l Tate182/17 3,684,055 8/1972 Rice 182/17 Primary ExaminerReinaldo P. MachadoAttorney, Agent, or FirmPugh & Laiche Dec. 31, 1974 [5 7] ABSTRACT Acombined step ladder and tool cart having three basic components, namelya special, foldable step ladder having its set of front legssubstantially shorter than the back set, a collapsible wheeled dolly,and removable tool or storage bin to be fitted within the confines ofthe dolly and attached thereto. The step ladder is mounted onto thedolly at its uppermost section by means of bolts or pivot pins and isdesigned to be folded up, over and horizontally onto the dolly so thatit rides thereon when the dolly is transported from one location toanother. The storage bin, which also can be collapsible if desired, isdetachable from the dolly and carries on its front face suchparaphernalia as a name tag, pencil holder and clip board. The dollywhich is vertically adjustable serves as a set of front legs for thestep ladder when the ladder is in its erected disposition. The dolly hasits two sides joined by means of an X-folding member located at its backend and is preferrably completely open at its front end. Auxiliary tooltrays and/or paint can racks can be mounted on the ladder for furtherutility.

10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures COMBINATION LADDER AND TOOL CART BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a combination ladderand tool cart for use in connection with, for example, maintenanceoperations in areas such as hospitals, apartment houses, and the like.

In the prior art there are of course various tool carts and there are ofcourse many different ladders, but one is usually faced with thepossession of one and the lack of the other just at the time when bothare needed. Moreover, even when one has both but has to transport themto another location, the user usually has to make two trips or haveadditional personnel to assist in moving one or the other item.

The present invention eliminates these problems by providing acombination ladder and tool cart to serve the maintenance needs of mostbusinesses. The ladder is attached to the tool cart in such a manner asto make the transportation of both a totally simple matter, since theladder folds flat over onto the top of the cart and is rolled with thecart to the next work destination.

Additionally the entire cart and ladder assembly of the presentinvention can be quickly disassembled and folded for convenienttransportation in any vehicle or for stroage in a closet or other workarea.

Broadly speaking, the basic concept of combining a ladder and wheeledstructure is admittedly old. Typical examples of such combinations aredisclosed in the following U.S. Patents:

As to the particular purposes or use of the present invention,particular reference is made to the Hockett patent. However, each of theforegoing prior patents in this crowded art fails to achieve thecombined great simplicity, reliability and compactness of the presentinvention with its great utility and safety in use.

Thus in spite of the prior art there still has been a longstanding needfor a simple-to-operate, light-weight, collapsible, multi-usecombination ladder and tool cart in the art to facilitate maintenanceoperations in connection with buildings such as, for example, hospitals,apartment houses and the like. Heretofore the lack of the efficient,versatile and reliable device of the present invention has resulted inmany lost manhours which could otherwise have been spent in the usefulwork activities usually performed by maintenance men.

It is noted that the present invention structurally includes threeseparable elements: (1) a special step ladder having its front legssubstantially shorter than its back ones; (2) a collapsible, foldabledolly having its two sides preferrably connected together at only itsback end by means of a single folding X member; and (3) a box-likestorage bin which can be placed within the open interior of the dolly;the ladder being connected to the dolly by means of pivot pins betweenthe lower extremities of the ladders front legs and the uppermost sideportions of the dolly, this pivoting connection allowing the ladder tobe moved up, over and hori zontally onto the top of the dolly.

The instant device may be safely operated by means of foot locks on thefront coasters of the cart so that the step ladder is rendered immovablerelative to the floor and user.

It is noted that when the ladder is folded out and erected for use, thelegs of the cart are locked for safety; that is, the front wheels of thecart form two of the legs of the ladder, while the other two legs of theladder make contact with the floor.

It is further noted that the ladder used in the combination of thepresent invention is not made to be used separately from the cart.Indeed it is an object of the present invention to preclude someonestaking the lad der and misplacing it, defeating the purpose for the design of the combination unit.

Other special auxiliary features of the present invention include tooltrays mounted on top of the step ladder and on its folding shelf, paintcan racks mounted to the uppermost section of the step ladder forhanging paint cans thereon, and the inclusion of a name tag, pencilholder and a paperclip board on the front face of the storage bin. Allof the above listed qualities and features in connection with theinstant device add to its utility as a combination tool cart .and stepladder.

The present invention was designed by a hospital maintenance supervisorwho knows very well the needs of maintenance forces in business; and hisin-depth experience indicates that the present invention meets most ofthe major needs for convenience and utility in maintenance supplies.

It is therefor an object of the present invention to provide acombination tool cart and step ladder which is readily usable inconnection with maintenance operations in, for example, hospitals,apartment houses and the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an easy tomanufacture, inexpensive combination tool cart and step ladder for usein connection with maintenance operations.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provisions of acombination tool cart and step ladder which is readily dismantled andassembled initially in three basic component parts, namely, a specialstep ladder, a collapsible dolly, and a storage or tool bin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a further understanding of thenature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had tothe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like parts are given like referencenumerals and wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective front view of the assembled combination toolcart and step ladder, with the latter in its erected disposition.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the disassembled combination tool cartand step ladder in exploded array, showing separately the special stepladder, tool bin, and dolly (the latter in its collapsed disposition).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment it) ofthe combined ladder and tool cart of the present invention isillustrated in its completely erected disposition in FIG. 1 and incompletely disassembled array in FIG. 2.

As illustrated in exploded array in FIG. 2, the present inventionstructurally includes three separable elements ll 13: (l) a special stepladder 11 having its front legs 19 substantially shorter than its backones 18; (2) a collapsible, foldable dolly 12 (shown in its collapseddisposition) having its two sides preferrably connected together at onlyits back end by means of a single folding X-member 34; and (3) abox-like storage bin 13 which can be placed within the open interior ofthe dolly 12.

To assemble the three elements 11 13 of FIG. 2 to produce the fullyassembled device as illustrated in FIG. 1, the dolly 12 is unfolded bymeans of pulling the two upper side members 27 apart, expanding the X-frame member 34. The storage or tool bin 13 is then placed down withinthe open interior of the erected dolly so that the four side hooks 28 ofthe bin 13 engage the tubular side members 27 of the dolly 12 at theiruppermost extremeties 27. The bin 13 is then nested within the frame ofthe dolly l2 and is attached thereto, producing a stable and erect cart,the dolly 12 including at its lower extremities four coaster wheels 30for mobility. It is noted that the dolly 12 includes only one X-framemember 34 located at its back end, thereby leaving its front endcompletely open which allows easier access to its interior wheninserting or removing the storage bin 13 from the dolly 12.

The bolts or pivot pins 32, which are attached to the dolly 12 by meansof chains 56, are moved out, and the lower extremities of the front legs19 of the ladder 11 are placed in juxtaposition thereto so that theholes 32 line up with the pins 32. The pins are then inserted throughthe holes 32 and locked in place by any convenient means, such as forexample wing nuts (not illustrated) if the pivot pins are made in theform of bolts. Thus, as seen in FIG. 1, the ladder 11 is connected tothe dolly 12 by means of bolts or pivot pins 32 between the lowerextremities of the ladders front legs 19 and the uppermost side portions27 of the dolly 12. This pivoting connection allows the ladder 11 to bemoved up, over and horizontally onto the top of the dolly 12.

It is to be noted that, when assembled as in FIG. 1, the legs 18, 19 ofthe unit can be moved relative to the floor by merely folding the stepladder 11 together using the pivoted break-jointed braces 24 in the wellknown way and then pushing the folded ladder (the disposition of ladder11 in FIG. 2) forward and over horizontally up onto the cart 12 13 sothat it rides on top of the cart 12 13.

This combined mobility enables the user to push the cart around at willalong with the step ladder 11. However, standard-type foot locks 55 areprovided on the front wheels to prevent the assembled combination toolcart and step ladder 10 from moving about when in use. In the event thatthe user merely desires to move the combination tool cart and stepladder 10 a short distance, the user needs merely to release the footlocks 55, raise the ladder 11 (without folding it) about the pivot pins32, and push the device 10 the short distance.

As to the details of the step ladder 11, it is comprised of the shorterforward or front set of legs 19 and a rear set of legs 18. These forwardand rearward set of legs l8, 19 are respectively joined at their tops bytop pivot member 16 and at their sides by break-joint braces 24. Thestandard front shelf 22 is included which is supported by arms 21 whichpivot about pins 20.

The front legs 19 are connected to each other by cross braces 23 inconjunction with lateral brace 26 which hold the front legs 19 stablerelative to each other. The back legs are stabilized by means of thesteps 25 and the top shelf or step 15.

An auxiliary tool tray is mounted on the uppersection 15 of the stepladder 11 for use in placing articles therein for easy and quick accessthereto. A second auxiliary tool tray 22' is mounted on top of the shelfplatform 22. When the device 10 is not in use, the auxiliary tool trays22, 50 can be stored in the storage bin 13 and the trays are so suitablydimensioned. Additionally, a paint can rack or hook 51 for holding apaint can is provided on leg 19 on the ladder 11 to further enhance thedevices utility.

It is noted that dolly 12 includes a tubular set of four lower legs 29and a tubular set of four upper legs 27 (formed by two inverted U-shapedmembers) mounted within the tubular legs 29 for relative, telescopicaction with respect to each other. This telescopic action allows thedolly frame 12 to be varied in height. Upper legs 27 and lower legs 29are fixedly mounted relative to each other by means of butterfly wingnuts and bolts 31 which protrude through mating apperatures in the upperand lower legs 27, 29.

Tool or storage bin 13 includes a front panel section 33 and also hasrear side and bottom panels to thereby form a box-like enclosure. Theside panels include at their rear portions a cut-out or lowered sectionto allow easy side access into the bin 13. As shown in FIG. 1, a nametag 52, a pencil holder 53 and a clip board 54 can be included on thefront panel 33 for record-keeping purposes.

It is noted that when the dolly 12 is erected, that is, folded out, itdefines an open rectangular interior to which the horizontalcross-section of the bin 13 conforms.

For strength and reliability the device 10 can be made all of aluminum.The step ladder 11 can be of standard height and construction with theexception that, for the preferred embodiment, the front legs must besuitably shortened. Suitable dimensions for the cart 12-13 would be aheight of 29 inches, a lateral width of approximately 17 inches, and alongitudinal length of approximately 31 inches.

As is true with most mechanical devices, many variations in design anddetail of the preferred embodiment of the present invention arepossible. For example, the laddgr could include an extension section inorder for it to go to greater heights. Moreover, for further compactnessin storage, the bin 13 could be made of acol-. lapsible construction bya for example appropriately hinging some of the edges between thevarious panels; etc.

Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within thescope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because manymodifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed inaccordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to beunderstood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as invention is:

l. A combined ladder and tool cart comprising:

a step ladder having one set of its lower legs substantially shorterthan the other;

a collapsible dolly defining a generally open interior when in itserected disposition; said shorter legs of said ladder including ladderfastening means for fastening them to said collapsible dolly; and

a storage bin having a cross-section which at least generally conformsto said open interior of said dolly when erected and having binfastening means for fastening it to said dolly within the interiorthereof; said ladder, said dolly and said bin capable of being easilyseparated for compact storage when not in use 2. The device as definedin claim 1 wherein:

said step ladder is fastened to said dolly at its upper most section bymeans of pivot pin means for allowing said ladder to be folded up, overand onto the top dolly so that it rides thereon when the dolly istransported from one location to another.

3. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said dolly serves as a set of lower front legs for said step ladder whensaid step ladder is in its erected position.

4. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said dolly is equipped with four wheels, at least two of which arelockable by means of foot locks so that the cart with its erected stepladder can be ren' dered immovable relative to floor.

5. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said dolly has two sides anda single folding end member interconnecting said sides, the remainingend being open and unobstructed.

6. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said single folding membercomprises and X-folding structure wherein the two bar elements pivotabout their center connection, the ends of said bar elements beingconnected to said sides of said dolly.

9. A combined ladder and tool cart comprising:

a step ladder having one set of its lower legs substantially shorterthan the other;

a collapsible dolly defininga generally open interior when in itserected disposition; said dolly having two sides and a single foldingend member interconnecting said sides, the remaining end being open andunobstructed, said single folding member comprising an X-foldingstructure wherein the two bar elements pivot about their centerconnection, the ends of said bar elements being connected to said sidesof said dolly; said dolly being rectangular in horizontal cross-sectionand having four vertical corner posts comprised of a set of four lowertubular legs and a set of four upper tubular legs mounted within saidlower tubular legs for relative, telescopic motion with respect to eachother, whereby the height of said dolly can be varied by said telescopicaction; said shorter legs of said ladder including ladder fasteningmeans for fastening them to said collapsible dolly, said step ladderbeing fastened to said dolly at its upper most section by means of pivotpin means for allowing said ladder to be folded up, over and onto thetop dolly so that it rides thereon when the dolly is transported fromone location to another; said dolly serving as a set of lower front legsfor said step ladder when said step ladder is in its erected position;said dolly being equipped with four wheels, at least two of which arelockable by :means of foot locks so that the cart with its erected stepladder can be rendered immovable relative to floor; and

a storage bin having a cross-section which at least generally conformsto said open interior of said dolly when erected and having binfastening means for fastening it to said dolly within the interiorthereof; said ladder, said dolly and said bin capable of being easilyseparated for compact storage when not in use.

10. The device as defined in claim 9 wherein:

said storage bin has mounted on its front face a name tag, a pencilholder and a clip board.

1. A combined ladder and tool cart comprising: a step ladder having oneset of its lower legs substantially shorter than the other; acollapsible dolly defining a generally open interior when in its erecteddisposition; said shorter legs of said ladder including ladder fasteningmeans for fastening them to said collapsible dolly; and a storage binhaving a cross-section which at least generally conforms to said openinterior of said dolly when erected and having bin fastening means forfastening it to said dolly within the interior thereof; said ladder,said dolly and said bin capable of being easily separated for compactstorage when not in use.
 2. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein:said step ladder is fastened to said dolly at its upper most section bymeans of pivot pin means for allowing said ladder to be folded up, overand onto the top dolly so that it rides thereon when the dolly istransported from one location to another.
 3. The deviCe as defined inclaim 1 wherein: said dolly serves as a set of lower front legs for saidstep ladder when said step ladder is in its erected position.
 4. Thedevice as defined in claim 1 wherein: said dolly is equipped with fourwheels, at least two of which are lockable by means of foot locks sothat the cart with its erected step ladder can be rendered immovablerelative to floor.
 5. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein saiddolly has two sides and a single folding end member interconnecting saidsides, the remaining end being open and unobstructed.
 6. The device asdefined in claim 1 wherein said single folding member comprises andX-folding structure wherein the two bar elements pivot about theircenter connection, the ends of said bar elements being connected to saidsides of said dolly.
 7. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein: saiddolly is rectangular in horizontal cross-section and has four verticalcorner posts comprised of a set of four lower tubular legs and a set offour upper tubular legs mounted within said lower tubular legs forrelative, telescopic motion with respect to each other, whereby theheight of said dolly can be caried by said telescopic action.
 8. Thedevice as defined in claim 1 wherein: said storage bin has mounted onits front face a name tag, a pencil holder and a clip board.
 9. Acombined ladder and tool cart comprising: a step ladder having one setof its lower legs substantially shorter than the other; a collapsibledolly defining a generally open interior when in its erecteddisposition; said dolly having two sides and a single folding end memberinterconnecting said sides, the remaining end being open andunobstructed, said single folding member comprising an X-foldingstructure wherein the two bar elements pivot about their centerconnection, the ends of said bar elements being connected to said sidesof said dolly; said dolly being rectangular in horizontal cross-sectionand having four vertical corner posts comprised of a set of four lowertubular legs and a set of four upper tubular legs mounted within saidlower tubular legs for relative, telescopic motion with respect to eachother, whereby the height of said dolly can be varied by said telescopicaction; said shorter legs of said ladder including ladder fasteningmeans for fastening them to said collapsible dolly, said step ladderbeing fastened to said dolly at its upper most section by means of pivotpin means for allowing said ladder to be folded up, over and onto thetop dolly so that it rides thereon when the dolly is transported fromone location to another; said dolly serving as a set of lower front legsfor said step ladder when said step ladder is in its erected position;said dolly being equipped with four wheels, at least two of which arelockable by means of foot locks so that the cart with its erected stepladder can be rendered immovable relative to floor; and a storage binhaving a cross-section which at least generally conforms to said openinterior of said dolly when erected and having bin fastening means forfastening it to said dolly within the interior thereof; said ladder,said dolly and said bin capable of being easily separated for compactstorage when not in use.
 10. The device as defined in claim 9 wherein:said storage bin has mounted on its front face a name tag, a pencilholder and a clip board.